So, here I was late as usual for an early morning meeting at office. Just that , this time it was with a Senior Director, Venkat Pullela for an environmental initiative we were starting. And, hell, I didn't want to be late.
Actually, I was not quite late late. The meeting was scheduled for 9:30am and we had a pre-meeting discussion at 9:10am with the other volunteers. So, I left home at 9:00 am. I live a few km away. But, in Bangalore 5km tends to be as bad as 15 km if there's a jam. And as it always happens when you are in a hurry, there's a JAM!!
I was like, "Chill Neha. We have time". "Oh!, but I am not getting any auto!"
My principles don't allow me to spoil auto-wallas in B'lore by paying them double the meter or other ridiculous fares they come up with. So, after a wait of around 7 mins, I got a Ric. "Am glad, but jus that the Ric is slower than the guy who's jogging on the pavement next to the road!".
I was still like, "Chill Neha. We won't be late for the real meeting. Atleast you have gotten yourself a Ric".
GHATTAK...GHATTAK....GHATAK..DHAK.
Guess what?!....... The Ric died! I was sitting composed while the Ricdriver made futile attempts to repair, till he gave up and so did my hopes of reaching on time. Needless to say, there was no other free autos in sight. I waited for 5 mins.... Something drastic had to be done.
I suddenly started noticing the stickers on cars and started looking for the Cisco Sticker. I saw one and made a brave attempt to ask for a lift. There was too much traffic for the guy to see a damsel in distress. I squinted hard to find my next target. Saw this car with 'L' sticker and also a Cisco one. There was no time to concentrate on the risks of 'L'. So, I again signed. He did not see. But, there was a jam ahead. So, he went past me and stopped.
Believe it or not, I ran and caught up with the car before it could move and knocked on the car's closed window. As courtesy would require, the guy pulled down the glass and I was like, " You work for Cisco, right?".
There was a surprised look and before he could answer, I chipped in," I work for Cisco too. Could you Plz Plz give me a ride till office. I'm really late for a meeting. ".
Still shocked, he let me in. Did you get the title of this post just yet ?! :) No issues, read on.
So, obviously, he was still looking at his badge lying next to the hand-brake and wondering why he was targeted. His first Q was, " How do you know I work for Cisco"?. I gestured at the sticker and he was like,"Dumb Q". He was an extremely nice and helpful person and helped me reach the meeting just 8 mins late :) Why was I still late? Remember, the Jam? And the 'L' was coz his sister was learning to drive :)
I know some ppl(who I value), who would really get upset with me about asking a stranger for a lift, but that's the point I'm trying to make with this blog. I did not quite ask a stranger. Just knowing that a person works for Cisco makes the person dependable to an extent and if you request a favor, you know that that person would help you for the same reason that you asked him. That You are a part of the same big Cisco family! Its always nice to have a big family that you don't quite have to live with :)
I obviously am not going to use my family connections like this again, but, it just made me feel good abt how big Cisco is(2 cars passed by me in less than a minute with Cisco stickers on it) and how easy it was for me to reach out at that crucial time(It was for me!). I also realized that I should leave much earlier for important meetings :)
Actually, I was not quite late late. The meeting was scheduled for 9:30am and we had a pre-meeting discussion at 9:10am with the other volunteers. So, I left home at 9:00 am. I live a few km away. But, in Bangalore 5km tends to be as bad as 15 km if there's a jam. And as it always happens when you are in a hurry, there's a JAM!!
I was like, "Chill Neha. We have time". "Oh!, but I am not getting any auto!"
My principles don't allow me to spoil auto-wallas in B'lore by paying them double the meter or other ridiculous fares they come up with. So, after a wait of around 7 mins, I got a Ric. "Am glad, but jus that the Ric is slower than the guy who's jogging on the pavement next to the road!".
I was still like, "Chill Neha. We won't be late for the real meeting. Atleast you have gotten yourself a Ric".
GHATTAK...GHATTAK....GHATAK..DHAK.
Guess what?!....... The Ric died! I was sitting composed while the Ricdriver made futile attempts to repair, till he gave up and so did my hopes of reaching on time. Needless to say, there was no other free autos in sight. I waited for 5 mins.... Something drastic had to be done.
I suddenly started noticing the stickers on cars and started looking for the Cisco Sticker. I saw one and made a brave attempt to ask for a lift. There was too much traffic for the guy to see a damsel in distress. I squinted hard to find my next target. Saw this car with 'L' sticker and also a Cisco one. There was no time to concentrate on the risks of 'L'. So, I again signed. He did not see. But, there was a jam ahead. So, he went past me and stopped.
Believe it or not, I ran and caught up with the car before it could move and knocked on the car's closed window. As courtesy would require, the guy pulled down the glass and I was like, " You work for Cisco, right?".
There was a surprised look and before he could answer, I chipped in," I work for Cisco too. Could you Plz Plz give me a ride till office. I'm really late for a meeting. ".
Still shocked, he let me in. Did you get the title of this post just yet ?! :) No issues, read on.
So, obviously, he was still looking at his badge lying next to the hand-brake and wondering why he was targeted. His first Q was, " How do you know I work for Cisco"?. I gestured at the sticker and he was like,"Dumb Q". He was an extremely nice and helpful person and helped me reach the meeting just 8 mins late :) Why was I still late? Remember, the Jam? And the 'L' was coz his sister was learning to drive :)
I know some ppl(who I value), who would really get upset with me about asking a stranger for a lift, but that's the point I'm trying to make with this blog. I did not quite ask a stranger. Just knowing that a person works for Cisco makes the person dependable to an extent and if you request a favor, you know that that person would help you for the same reason that you asked him. That You are a part of the same big Cisco family! Its always nice to have a big family that you don't quite have to live with :)
I obviously am not going to use my family connections like this again, but, it just made me feel good abt how big Cisco is(2 cars passed by me in less than a minute with Cisco stickers on it) and how easy it was for me to reach out at that crucial time(It was for me!). I also realized that I should leave much earlier for important meetings :)
